Justin Nozuka
Encyclopedia
Justin Tokimitsu Nozuka (born September 29, 1988) is a American-Canadian singer-songwriter
. His debut album Holly
has been released in Europe
, Canada
, Japan
and the United States
. He has licensed the album to indie label
Coalition Entertainment Records, distributed by Warner Music in Canada, Outcaste Records in the UK/EU distributed by EMI and Glassnote Records
in the US distributed by RED.
ese father and an American mother of English ancestry. His mother's half-sister is actress Kyra Sedgwick
and his first cousin twice removed is Edie Sedgwick
. Justin's mother raised himself and his six siblings as a single mother. Nozuka is the brother of R&B singer George
, actor Philip
, and singer/songwriter Henry. Other family members include Christian and two sisters, Margaret and Sandra (Sandy).
Nozuka began writing his own songs at age 12. The earliest of his songs on Holly
, "Supposed to Grow Old" and "I'm in Peace," were written when he was 15. While attending St. Andrews College
, an international boarding school in Aurora, Ontario
, Justin learned to play guitar from classmates. He then went on to the Etobicoke School of the Arts
, where he graduated from in 2007. His musical influences stem from artists such as Lauryn Hill
and Marvin Gaye
.
With help from a fellow Canadian artist, Damhnait Doyle
, whom he met at a song writing workshop, Justin was introduced to Universal Records
talent scout, Allan Reid. He recorded three tracks through Universal with Bill Bell as producer, leading Universal to request that Justin sign with their label. However, he decided he wanted to "record an album on (his) own, with (his) own freedom".
In 2007, Nozuka released his debut album Holly
. The album is named after his mother who helped and supported his chosen career in music. The album has eleven songs to it and includes a hidden track following the final listed song "If I Gave You My Life". Many of Justin's songs deal with mature themes such as the song "Save Him", which is a fictional account of a woman abused by her husband. Another track, "Down in a Cold Dirty Well", is about his perspective being stuck in a well, watching his life flash before his eyes."Criminal"describes the story of a drunken man facing the consequences of throwing a bottle into a street "where children play with bare feet", and suffers from the overwhelming guilt. In February 2008, Justin was nominated for a Juno award
in the category of "New Artist of the Year", following the commercial and critical success of his debut album.
Since then, Justin has played at such venues as the Green room stage at the Irish music festival Oxegen and T in the Park in 2007. Nozuka's song "After Tonight" has also been featured in a commercial for "Scott Baio Is 46...and Pregnant
" on VH1, as well as on mtvU
's The Freshman. Nozuka has also traveled to Austin
, Texas
to take part in the SXSW Music Festival as well as being interviewed by many radio stations in the area.
In 2008, Justin Nozuka toured with Marié Digby
and Eric Hutchinson
. From Aug 2008 through Nov 2008, Justin toured all around the United States with Gabe Dixon Band
& Jay Nash
as well as in parts of Europe. In the beginning of 2009, Justin toured the United States again, this time co-headlining with Missy Higgins
and with special guest, Lenka
. He also toured in France to heavily promote the Holly album for its re-release.
In the summer of 2009, Justin began working on his second studio album, while touring and playing live shows in Europe. The result was his second album titled "You I Wind Land and Sea". The album was released in the US on April 13, 2010 and debuted at # 118 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. The album receive positive reviews, similar to his first album
On February 18, 2010, Nozuka lent his vocals alongside 50 of Canada's best and brightest artists on a reworked version of K'naan
's "Wavin' Flag
." The song was reworked in order to inspire help for Haiti after it was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Other singers involved included K'naan
, Nelly Furtado
, Kardinal Offishall
, Avril Lavigne
, Lights, Drake
, Fefe Dobson
, Esthero
, Jacob Hoggard
and Justin Bieber
, among others. It was released on iTunes Friday March 12, 2010 for purchase with all proceeds going to designated charities: World Vision, Free The Children and War Child.
Justin has also had various acting roles, including an appearance on Degrassi: The Next Generation
as Chuck Hosoda, the fictional brother to recurring character Chester, played by Justin's real-life brother Philip Nozuka
. Justin's brother George Nozuka
also shared a small role in the same episode playing the third brother, Chad.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
. His debut album Holly
Holly (Justin Nozuka Album)
Holly is the debut album from singer-songwriter Justin Nozuka, first released in the UK and Canada. It peaked so far at #6 on US Top Heatseekers. The album was named after his mother Holly.-Tracklist:Standard track listJapanese tracklist...
has been released in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He has licensed the album to indie label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
Coalition Entertainment Records, distributed by Warner Music in Canada, Outcaste Records in the UK/EU distributed by EMI and Glassnote Records
Glassnote Records
Glassnote Records is an independent record label launched by American music executive Daniel Glass in 2007. The label primarily has a lineup of indie rock and alternative rock artists...
in the US distributed by RED.
Biography
Nozuka was born to a JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese father and an American mother of English ancestry. His mother's half-sister is actress Kyra Sedgwick
Kyra Sedgwick
Kyra Minturn Sedgwick is an American actress.Sedgwick is best known for her starring role as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson on the TNT crime drama The Closer. Sedgwick's role in the series won her a Golden Globe Award in 2007 and an Emmy Award in 2010...
and his first cousin twice removed is Edie Sedgwick
Edie Sedgwick
Edith Minturn "Edie" Sedgwick was an American actress, socialite, model and heiress. She is best known for being one of Andy Warhol's superstars. Sedgwick became known as "The Girl of the Year" in 1965 after starring in several of Warhol's short films in the 1960s...
. Justin's mother raised himself and his six siblings as a single mother. Nozuka is the brother of R&B singer George
George Nozuka
George Koichi Nozuka better known by his stage name George is a Canadian singer. He is signed to HC Entertainment Group record label as their main act.-Career:...
, actor Philip
Philip Nozuka
Philip Hiromitsu Nozuka is an American-Canadian actor/performance artist born in Queens, New York City June 5, 1987 to a Japanese father, Hiromitsu, and American mother, Holly Sedgwick...
, and singer/songwriter Henry. Other family members include Christian and two sisters, Margaret and Sandra (Sandy).
Nozuka began writing his own songs at age 12. The earliest of his songs on Holly
Holly (Justin Nozuka Album)
Holly is the debut album from singer-songwriter Justin Nozuka, first released in the UK and Canada. It peaked so far at #6 on US Top Heatseekers. The album was named after his mother Holly.-Tracklist:Standard track listJapanese tracklist...
, "Supposed to Grow Old" and "I'm in Peace," were written when he was 15. While attending St. Andrews College
St. Andrew's College (Aurora, Ontario)
St. Andrew's College, also known as SAC, is an independent school founded in 1899 located in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. It is a university-preparatory school for boys in grades 6 to 12, with a focus on academic achievement, athletics, and leadership development...
, an international boarding school in Aurora, Ontario
Aurora, Ontario
Aurora is an affluent town in York Region, approximately 20 km north of Toronto. It is partially situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine, and is a part of the Greater Toronto Area and Golden Horseshoe of Southern Ontario.Many Aurora residents commute to Toronto and surrounding communities.In the...
, Justin learned to play guitar from classmates. He then went on to the Etobicoke School of the Arts
Etobicoke School of the Arts
The Etobicoke School of the Arts is a specialized public arts-academic high school located in Etobicoke area of Toronto, Canada. Founded on September 8, 1981, the Etobicoke School of the Arts has the distinction of being the oldest, free standing arts focused high school in Canada...
, where he graduated from in 2007. His musical influences stem from artists such as Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
and Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
.
With help from a fellow Canadian artist, Damhnait Doyle
Damhnait Doyle
Damhnait Doyle [DAV-net] is a Canadian pop singer. The phonetic spelling of her first name also serves as the title of her 2003 album. Her most recent album, Lights Down Low, is a collection of covers...
, whom he met at a song writing workshop, Justin was introduced to Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
talent scout, Allan Reid. He recorded three tracks through Universal with Bill Bell as producer, leading Universal to request that Justin sign with their label. However, he decided he wanted to "record an album on (his) own, with (his) own freedom".
In 2007, Nozuka released his debut album Holly
Holly (Justin Nozuka Album)
Holly is the debut album from singer-songwriter Justin Nozuka, first released in the UK and Canada. It peaked so far at #6 on US Top Heatseekers. The album was named after his mother Holly.-Tracklist:Standard track listJapanese tracklist...
. The album is named after his mother who helped and supported his chosen career in music. The album has eleven songs to it and includes a hidden track following the final listed song "If I Gave You My Life". Many of Justin's songs deal with mature themes such as the song "Save Him", which is a fictional account of a woman abused by her husband. Another track, "Down in a Cold Dirty Well", is about his perspective being stuck in a well, watching his life flash before his eyes."Criminal"describes the story of a drunken man facing the consequences of throwing a bottle into a street "where children play with bare feet", and suffers from the overwhelming guilt. In February 2008, Justin was nominated for a Juno award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
in the category of "New Artist of the Year", following the commercial and critical success of his debut album.
Since then, Justin has played at such venues as the Green room stage at the Irish music festival Oxegen and T in the Park in 2007. Nozuka's song "After Tonight" has also been featured in a commercial for "Scott Baio Is 46...and Pregnant
Scott Baio Is 46...and Pregnant
Scott Baio Is 46...and Pregnant is an American reality series that aired on VH1 from January to March 2008. The series stars Scott Baio.-Synopsis:...
" on VH1, as well as on mtvU
MtvU
mtvU is a division of Viacom's MTV Networks which produces a 24-hour television channel that is available on more than 750 college and university campuses across the United States, as well as several digital cable packages...
's The Freshman. Nozuka has also traveled to Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
to take part in the SXSW Music Festival as well as being interviewed by many radio stations in the area.
In 2008, Justin Nozuka toured with Marié Digby
Marié Digby
Marié Christina Digby is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist and actress. She is known for her acoustic cover version of Rihanna's "Umbrella", which attracted attention on YouTube in 2007...
and Eric Hutchinson
Eric Hutchinson
Eric Hutchinson is an American singer-songwriter. He signed with Madonna's Maverick Records, but the label shut down before his album was released. Hutchinson recorded and released the album Sounds Like This on his own...
. From Aug 2008 through Nov 2008, Justin toured all around the United States with Gabe Dixon Band
Gabe Dixon Band
The Gabe Dixon Band is a three-piece band that was formed in the fall of 1998 at the University of Miami. Their music is piano-driven rock akin to Ben Folds Five with a more serious tone, Jackson Browne and early 70s Elton John. The band worked with producer/engineer Eddie Kramer on their...
& Jay Nash
Jay Nash
Jay Nash is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League .-Early career:Nash began his career in South Australia, where he played for the Central District Football Club...
as well as in parts of Europe. In the beginning of 2009, Justin toured the United States again, this time co-headlining with Missy Higgins
Missy Higgins
Melissa "Missy" Morrison Higgins is an Australian pop singer-songwriter, musician and actor. Her No. 1 albums in Australia are The Sound of White and On a Clear Night , and her Top Ten singles are "Scar", "The Special Two", "Steer" and "Where I Stood". From a musical family in...
and with special guest, Lenka
Lenka
Lenka is a village and municipality in the Rimavská Sobota District of the Banská Bystrica Region of southern Slovakia.- Demographics :As of 2001, Lenka had 202 inhabitants of whom 129 were Hungarians and 72 Slovakians.-External links:...
. He also toured in France to heavily promote the Holly album for its re-release.
In the summer of 2009, Justin began working on his second studio album, while touring and playing live shows in Europe. The result was his second album titled "You I Wind Land and Sea". The album was released in the US on April 13, 2010 and debuted at # 118 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. The album receive positive reviews, similar to his first album
On February 18, 2010, Nozuka lent his vocals alongside 50 of Canada's best and brightest artists on a reworked version of K'naan
K'naan
K'naan , born Keinan Abdi Warsame in 1978, is a Somali Canadian poet, rapper, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist.-Biography:Born in Somalia, K'naan spent his childhood in Mogadishu and lived there during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. His aunt, Magool, was one of Somalia's most...
's "Wavin' Flag
Wavin' Flag
"Wavin' Flag" is a song by Somali-Canadian artist K'naan from his album Troubadour. The song was a global hit, reaching the top ten in 19 charts around the world and was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. The English version was released as...
." The song was reworked in order to inspire help for Haiti after it was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Other singers involved included K'naan
K'naan
K'naan , born Keinan Abdi Warsame in 1978, is a Somali Canadian poet, rapper, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist.-Biography:Born in Somalia, K'naan spent his childhood in Mogadishu and lived there during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. His aunt, Magool, was one of Somalia's most...
, Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Furtado grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.Furtado first gained fame with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", which won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy...
, Kardinal Offishall
Kardinal Offishall
Jason D. Harrow , better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall , is a Canadian rapper and record producer. He is often credited as Canada's "hip-hop ambassador", and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip-hop.-Life and career:Harrow was born in...
, Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
, Lights, Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
, Fefe Dobson
Fefe Dobson
Felicia Lily "Fefe" Dobson is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Her self-titled debut album earned her two Juno Award nominations. Her second album, Sunday Love, was not released and she was terminated from her recording company...
, Esthero
Esthero
Esthero ,born Jenny-Bea Englishman, is a Canadian singer-songwriter who currently lives in Los Angeles, California. The name Esthero refers both to the singer and formerly to the two-person team of herself and producer Doc McKinney...
, Jacob Hoggard
Jacob Hoggard
Jacob William Hoggard is a Canadian singer. He finished in third place on the second season of Canadian Idol. He is currently the lead singer of Hedley.-Early years:...
and Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber
Justin Drew Bieber is a Canadian pop/R&B singer, songwriter and actor. Bieber was discovered in 2008 by Scooter Braun, who came across Bieber's videos on YouTube and later became his manager...
, among others. It was released on iTunes Friday March 12, 2010 for purchase with all proceeds going to designated charities: World Vision, Free The Children and War Child.
Justin has also had various acting roles, including an appearance on Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
as Chuck Hosoda, the fictional brother to recurring character Chester, played by Justin's real-life brother Philip Nozuka
Philip Nozuka
Philip Hiromitsu Nozuka is an American-Canadian actor/performance artist born in Queens, New York City June 5, 1987 to a Japanese father, Hiromitsu, and American mother, Holly Sedgwick...
. Justin's brother George Nozuka
George Nozuka
George Koichi Nozuka better known by his stage name George is a Canadian singer. He is signed to HC Entertainment Group record label as their main act.-Career:...
also shared a small role in the same episode playing the third brother, Chad.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US Heat Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
US Indie Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels... |
DU | FR | ||
| 2007 | Holly Holly (Justin Nozuka Album) Holly is the debut album from singer-songwriter Justin Nozuka, first released in the UK and Canada. It peaked so far at #6 on US Top Heatseekers. The album was named after his mother Holly.-Tracklist:Standard track listJapanese tracklist...
|
- | 6 | 30 | 79 | 23 |
| 2010 | You I Wind Land and Sea
Outcaste Outcaste may refer to:*by extension, anything or anyone with a social stigma, due to criminal behavior or non-acceptance of societal norms.*Casteless people in India Dalit... |
118 | 1 | 13 | 40 | 45 |
Other releases
- iTunes Festival: London - Justin Nozuka (live) - EP (2007) Available in the U.K.
B-sides
- Ain't No Sunshine (Cover)
- Blue Velvet Sea
- By Your Side (Cover)
- Bad Fog Of Loneliness (Cover)
- Comfort In Emptiness
- Don't Listen To A Word You've Heard (Hidden Track)
- Grandma's Hands (cover)
- Hollow Men
- Lullabye
- Motherland
- Seasons Change
- Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay (Cover)
- Sorry
- Why
- I Wanna Know
- Blue Velvet Sea
- I Don't Know
Videos
- Mr. Therapy Man (Holly, 2007)
- Criminal (Holly, 2007 and 2009)
- After Tonight (Holly, 2007)
- Be Back Soon (Holly, 2008)
- Golden Train (Holly, 2009)
- My Heart is Yours (You I Wind Land and Sea, 2010)
- "Heartless" (You I Wind Land and Sea, 2010)
- "Save Him" (Holly, 2007)
- "Gone" (2011)
Guest contributions
- Bad Fog of Loneliness, from the album Borrowed Tunes II: A Tribute To Neil YoungBorrowed Tunes II: A Tribute to Neil YoungBorrowed Tunes II is a tribute album to Neil Young, released October 16, 2007. The album features a variety of Canadian musicians covering songs written by Neil Young. All proceeds from album sales will benefit two not-for-profit organizations selected by Neil Young: The Bridge School and...
(2007)
- At Long Last You by Joe Sbrocchi f/ Justin Nozuka - FatlabsFatlabsFatLabs, is a Canadian home recording studio in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 2003 by Vikas Kohli. The studio is known for its ability to work with an assortment of genres.- Mission Istaanbul :...
Studio (2007)